Working mums

Returning to Work

Before you have your baby you may be able to plan your return to work with some emotional detachment. However, after you have held your baby you may wish to reassess your carefully laid plans. Remember you can only change your date for return to work once.

Here are a few points to help you plan the transition from home back into the work force.

Consider your current role at work and assess if it is possible to return to your job in its current form. For example, if your job involves long hours or frequent trips away from home, you may consider this unacceptable when you are a mum. If the answer is no perhaps you could talk to your employer in advance or use your time while on parental leave to look for a more suitable position.

Working from home is becoming a more acceptable work practice today. There are many benefits to home based work for both you and your employer. These include increased productivity, flexible working hours, reduced absenteeism, and the ability to retain a well-trained work force. You will save on time away from the home by cutting out travel time.

If you plan to breastfeed your baby you do not have to stop this before you return to work if this is your choice. Under New Zealand law, employers are required, as far as is reasonable and practicable, to provide appropriate breaks and facilities for employees who wish to breastfeed their infants or express milk during work hours (Employment Relations Act 2000).

It is worth considering your childcare options before you finish work. Take some time to investigate your choices for childcare. They include a Child Care Centre, Family Day Care and a Nanny in your home. Childcare places are limited and long waiting lists are common. Consider placing your name at a few centres. When thinking about the location of childcare, consider if it would be better to have the childcare near your work or home, who will be most likely to drop off and pick up your child.

The information contained in this site is not an alternative for specific, individual medical advice and guidance from your doctor or health care provider, where all surrounding conditions and circumstances are known. If you are worried about your own health, or your child’s well being, seek immediate medical advice. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website. Huggies® (and any healthcare professional, where relevant) intend for the information on this website to be up to date, timely and accurate but, to the extent that we are permitted by law, do not accept any liability or responsibility for claims, errors or omissions. Huggies® may amend the material at any time without notice.